Uniting the Souls (Souls of Chicago #6)(6)

I’d turned to Isaac who was wearing a confused expression as he watched Matt walk away. He’d shifted his blue eyes to me then and opened his mouth as if to say something, but someone came up to him, wanting information about the new center. I felt completely unbalanced by everything that had happened so when another person walked up to join the conversation, I took the opportunity to slip away. I needed air and to get my bearings so I could try and make sense of the strange situation.

I’d spoken to Lachlan and Rylie for a few minutes and then made my way outside where I leaned against the building, taking in several deep breaths while waiting for my heart to quit racing. I stared down at my hand which still tingled from where my skin had touched theirs when we shook hands. It was shaking and I grabbed it with my other hand to steady it. After several moments, I’d pushed off the wall and forced myself to move towards my car.

I’d almost convinced myself on the drive home that night that I’d imagined the entire thing, but I woke the next morning with both of their names on my lips and my cock rock-hard and begging for release after the dream I’d had. I knew that I wouldn’t find any peace until I was able to see them again and figure out what the hell was going on. I’d tried to be patient and give them time to get settled into the new center, but I also genuinely wanted to become involved and help out in any way I could. When Lachlan mentioned that Matt might have been looking to hire a therapist, I’d decided that that sounded like the perfect opportunity.

So, there I stood, trying to appear calm as I waited for Allison to return and tell me if Matt would have time to speak with me, and wondering what would happen if he did. Part of me expected that when I saw each of them again that there would be no spark, that I’d discover in the light of day that I’d made more out of my reaction to them than was really there.

“Matt can see you now, if you’d like to follow me.” I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of Allison’s voice right next to me. I’d been so lost in my thoughts that I hadn’t seen or heard her walking back towards me.

“Thank you,” I said, returning her friendly smile.

I picked up my briefcase and followed her down a long hallway. I couldn’t help looking in each open doorway that we passed, hoping to get a glimpse of Isaac, but he was nowhere to be found. My heart was pounding against my rib cage and I rolled my eyes at myself, not sure if it was nerves or anticipation that was causing me to react so out of character and I reminded myself once again of the main reason I was there. Allison stopped in front of the last room just as a phone started ringing in the direction we’d just come from. She turned to me with a startled expression.

“I’m sorry, I need to get that. You can just go on in, Matt’s waiting for you,” she said with a wave of her hand as she rushed back towards her desk.

I watched her leave and then turned to face the closed door. I straightened my shoulders and took a deep breath as I turned the knob and let the door swing open. My eyes widened as I came face to face with both of the men who’d left me so rattled after that night and I found my body reacting the same way to them as it had that first time.

Matt stood behind his desk, a wary expression on his handsome face. His gray eyes looked tired, as if he’d had too little sleep, but he still managed to look stunning. Isaac stood on the opposite side of the desk closest to me, and while he looked surprised, I also caught a glimmer of excitement in his bright blue eyes.

“Hudson, what are you doing here?” Isaac asked and my heart stuttered at the sight of the smile spreading across his face. It was open and friendly and showed off a set of straight, white teeth and I felt my lips curl up in an answering smile.

“Lachlan told me that you were looking for a therapist,” I answered.

“You know someone?” He looked at me hopefully. There was something so warm and inviting about Isaac’s personality and I felt my smile widen as I looked at him.

“Yes, me,” I told him.

“You’re a therapist?” My eyes darted to Matt as he suddenly spoke up. His face was still guarded, but I could see his curiosity shining through. Before I could respond, he spoke again. “Oh, I’m sorry, please, come in and have a seat.”

Isaac gestured to the seat next to his and I watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed hard. I stepped closer, my large frame dwarfing his smaller one and my arm brushed his as I moved to sit down. My skin felt warm where we’d touched and I heard his sharp intake of air; I was definitely not the only one who’d felt it.

We took our seats and I noticed Matt staring at Isaac and again, I wondered what he was thinking, but he brushed it off quickly and turned his attention to me. I pulled a file out of my briefcase and laid it on Matt’s desk, letting him sort through my credentials.

After several minutes, he leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms, making his shirt stretch tightly across his broad shoulders and chest. I heard a sigh next to me and I had to fight back a grin when I glanced at Isaac and caught him staring at Matt with a look of pure longing. Matt seemed completely oblivious to our ogling however, as he chewed on his bottom lip, apparently lost in thought.

“Well, Dr. Westley, I have to say, I’m quite impressed, but I’m not sure we could afford someone of your caliber on our payroll,” he said slowly.

“Please, call me Hudson, and, I think you misunderstood. I have my own practice and I’m not looking to leave it. I would, however, like to volunteer my services a few evenings each week to the kids at your center,” I told them.